“He wants to pick and choose his interviews, get friendly interviews here and there.

“The journalists are thrilled to get the rare Enda interview and they treat it with kid gloves.”

Mr Martin also told LMFM radio he would like to have a “one-to-one interview with him because he’s done ducking and diving interviews for the last five years and that’s not good for a leader of the country to be doing that”.

But last night a spokesman for Mr Kenny hit back at the criticism, saying: “The Taoiseach has said he will debate during the election campaign.

“He will use the opportunity to outline Fine Gael’s long-term economic plan to keep the recovery going by creating a strong economy with more, better jobs so we can lower taxes on workers and invest in public services.

“In contrast Micheal Martin has no jobs policy and no plan for the country’s future so he is increasingly engaging in pathetic, desperate, personalised and baseless attacks.” Mr Martin had previously challenged the Taoiseach to a live TV debate and claimed he would be be “running away” unless he takes up the offer.

He said: “It’s not just Micheal Martin and Enda Kenny I’m talking about.

“I think Gerry Adams and Enda Kenny should have a debate. And I’m prepared to debate with others.

“The simple fact is he is running away from debate and he continues to run away from debate.